This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-37782333

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Families of Birmingham pub bomb victims granted legal aid Relatives of Birmingham pub bomb victim granted legal aid
(about 2 hours later)
Some of the 1974 Birmingham pub bombing victims' families have had a legal aid request granted, days before inquest proceedings are due to begin. One of the 1974 Birmingham pub bombing victims' families has had a legal aid request granted, days before inquest proceedings are due to begin.
The government last month rejected a call from families to pay their legal fees at a reopened inquest through a fund similar to that created for the Hillsborough inquests.The government last month rejected a call from families to pay their legal fees at a reopened inquest through a fund similar to that created for the Hillsborough inquests.
But Home Secretary Amber Rudd backed an application for conventional legal aid.But Home Secretary Amber Rudd backed an application for conventional legal aid.
The government has confirmed one funding application has been granted.The government has confirmed one funding application has been granted.
More updates from Birmingham and the Black CountryMore updates from Birmingham and the Black Country
Twenty-one people were killed and 222 injured when suspected IRA bombs exploded in two city centre pubs on 21 November 1974. The family that has had legal aid approved is represented by Liverpool-based Broudie Jackson Canter.
Belfast law firm KRW made an application on behalf of eight other families but this was refused because the Legal Aid Agency, which handles the funding applications, does not have contracts with law firms outside England and Wales.
The Legal Aid Agency has suggested KRW comes to an arrangement in which Broudie Jackson Canter applies for funding on its behalf.
Legal aid applications on behalf of the 10 other families have not yet been received.
'Lack of respect''Lack of respect'
Twenty-one people were killed and 222 injured when suspected IRA bombs exploded in two city centre pubs on 21 November 1974.
Birmingham Northfield Labour MP Richard Burden said he hoped Justice Minister Sir Oliver Heald would address "the months... the families had to wait" between the inquest being announced and hearing the legal aid would be granted.Birmingham Northfield Labour MP Richard Burden said he hoped Justice Minister Sir Oliver Heald would address "the months... the families had to wait" between the inquest being announced and hearing the legal aid would be granted.
He said "that just shows lack of respect" and thought an apology "for that extra delay... would be useful".He said "that just shows lack of respect" and thought an apology "for that extra delay... would be useful".
Sir Oliver said: "The Legal Aid Agency decides legal aid applications entirely independently. It isn't for politicians to interfere in their independent decision-making.Sir Oliver said: "The Legal Aid Agency decides legal aid applications entirely independently. It isn't for politicians to interfere in their independent decision-making.
"Two applications have been received by the Legal Aid Agency. So far one has been granted and a way has been suggested of finding the other application to be within the rules."Two applications have been received by the Legal Aid Agency. So far one has been granted and a way has been suggested of finding the other application to be within the rules.
"These applications don't cover all the families that have been bereaved and so it may be that there will be further applications.""These applications don't cover all the families that have been bereaved and so it may be that there will be further applications."
Families had asked Ms Rudd to establish a fund similar to that created for the families represented at the Hillsborough stadium disaster inquests but that request was turned down.Families had asked Ms Rudd to establish a fund similar to that created for the families represented at the Hillsborough stadium disaster inquests but that request was turned down.
Sir Oliver said: "Whether it's funding through the legal aid fund or it's funding through the Hillsborough-type of approach isn't so much the issue as the fact that the families should be represented if the case requires it, and that's the system we're trying to create."Sir Oliver said: "Whether it's funding through the legal aid fund or it's funding through the Hillsborough-type of approach isn't so much the issue as the fact that the families should be represented if the case requires it, and that's the system we're trying to create."